Lathkill Dale Ramble, Derbyshire
Sunday, 1 November 2009

Sutton
in Ashfield Rambling Club

This is a previous walk by the Sutton in Ashfield Rambling Club in the Peak District. Please click for details of the next walk or a walking calendar.

On Sunday (1st November 2009) the members of the Sutton Rambling Club will be enjoying the first walk on their winter programme. It will be a comfortable 9 mile route focusing on beautiful Lathkill Dale in the heart of the Peak District. There will be options to take a shorter route out of the Dale in the afternoon.

The ramble begins at Arbor Low (grid ref 170638). This is a circle of rough hewn stones and has been rather grandly called "The Stonehenge of the Midlands". It commands wonderful views over the uplands between the rivers Dove and Wye.

The route takes us north past Cales Farm and along Cales Dale until we reach Lathkill Dale. This will be a good opportunity to take a mid-morning coffee break. The word "Lathkill" is reputed to be a Scandinavian word meaning "narrow valley with a barn" and dates back to 1280.

After our break we head north-west along Lathkill Dale and then Fern Dale ultimately reaching the pretty village of Monyash which is an ideal location for the lunch stop with a choice of refreshments available.

After lunch we return to Lathkill Dale and contour around the northern rim and then descend back into the dale It is an impressive sight with its towering limestone cliffs. We continue eastwards along the dale and finish at the village of Over Haddon. There was originally another "Haddon" village called Nether Haddon but it was demolished to make way for the building of Haddon Hall leaving Over Haddon in splendid isolation. The coach will leave for home at 5.00 pm.

We continue to welcome new members and we can offer healthy exercise in attractive locations within convivial company.

The McEwens coach leaves the "Staff of Life "pub on Hack Lane in Sutton-in-Ashfield at 9.15am and the Bancroft Lane end,Stockwell Gate (near the Netto supermarket) in Mansfield at 9.30 am.There are other pick-up points en route.